Horizontal honing machine



June 17, 1941. H. J. CALDWELL HORI ZONTAL HONING "MACHINE Filed July 21,1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l bhvx June 17, 941. Hl J, CALDWELL 2,246,199

HORIZONTAL HONING MACHINE Filed July 21, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y14436 mav f2/amy Q/ UCI/dava# 541K@ .SL., fpw, Mum/ Patented June 17, 1941HoRIzoNrAL'HoNING MACHINE K Harry J. Caldwell, Rockford, Ill., assignor.toY

Barnes Drill CompanyIRockford, Ill., a corporation of IllinoisApplication July 21, 1939, Serial No. 285,751

`4 Claims. :Y (Cl. 51-34) The invention relates to machines for dressingcylindrical surfaces by a honing or lapping operation and moreparticularly to honing or lapping machines of the horizontal type.

The honin-g operation involves the relative rotation and simultaneousrelative reciprocation of a cylindrical abrasive tool or hone and theWork piece. The lapping operation is substantially the same as thehoning operation except that the relative rotation of the tool and workis intermittent instead of continuous. The term honing as employedhereinafter with reference to the 'dressing of cylindrical surfaces isinten-ded to embrace both of the above operations.

"Horizontal honing machines are commonly employed in dressing .thecylindrical surfaces of Work pieces Which, because of certainchar-acteristics such as substantial length, are most convenientlysupported in a horizontal position during the operation. In suchmachines either the tool or the Work may be reciprocated and either orbot-h may be simultaneously rotated to produce the relative movementsnecessary for the performance of the honing operation.

The relative reciprocation of the tool and the work presents a differentproblem in machines intended to operate on long Work pieces since thereciprocaltory stroke must be of suiiicient amplitude to traverse thetool from one end of the Work piece to the other. As honing isA aprecision operation, the reciprocation should be extremely smooth andwith a minimum of shock or jar at the ends of the stroke. This is toprevent vibration or chattering of the tool which seriously affects thequality ofy the Work and makes it diiiicul-t, if not impossible, toobtain the smooth true surface iinish and the high degree of accuracyfor roundness and straightness demanded in finishing operations of thischaracter.

It has been found in practice that pressure fluid operated means such ashydraulic actuators, of either the rotary or reciprocatory type, aremost suitable for eiecting the relative reciprocation of the tool andWork because of the inherent smoothness of operation and the ease andaccuracy with Which such actuators can be controlled. The reciprocatoryactuators are preferable as they are of simple construction andrelatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to maintain in properoperating condition.

The use of reciprocatory actuators has been limited heretofore toshort-stroke honing machines of the vertical type in which the actuatorcan be coupled directly with the moving part. that is, the reciprocatoryhead ol' @alliage Q the machine, Direct coupling of the actuator withthe head has not Worked out in the case of long# stroke honing'machinesbecause of the impracticability of incorpo-rating in the machine areciprocatory actuator capable of providing the wide range of movementrequired in such machines. Various motion transmitting and amplifyingdevices have been proposed for use in connection with reciprocatoryactuators. Such devices v'as heretofore constructed, embodyv geartrains, rack and pinion mechanisms or the like, which' 'are unsuitablefor effecting the smooth, shockless reciprocation'essential forprecision honing.

With the above in View, one object of the present invention is toprovidean'improved horizontal honing machine embodying novelreciprocating mechanism includinga pressure liiuid operated actuatorofthe reciprocatory type and motion transmitting and amplifying means ofnovel and improved construction capable of eftecting smooth, shockl-essrelative reciprocation of the honing tool and thework piece. I

Another object is to provide ynovel motion transmitting andamplifying'means adapted to be operated by a reciprocatory actuator andcapable of effect-ing the relative reciprocation of a honing tool andthe work piece in a manner suitable ior precision honing. v y

, Still another object is tov provide an improved pressure uid actuatorof the reciprocatory type icapabl-e o-f imparting uniformmovements tothereciprocatory head ,or carriage of a yln'u'izorital honing machine inbot-h its forward and return l strokes. f

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from,the following detailed description of the preferred embodimentillustratedin the accompanying drawings in which: `Figure 1 is a sideyelevational view of a horizontal honing machine embodying the featuresof the invention. 4 f l Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View takenlongitudinally of the machine showing details of the mechanism forreciprocating the head Yor carriage. A

Fig. 3 is a transverser sectional view ofv themachine. A v Fig. 4 is aschematic diagram View showing the hydraulic circuits and therelationship of the hydraulic and mechanical elements of the machine. I.v

By way of illustration the invention has been shown and will bedescribed hereinafter as em-- bodied in a machine for honinginternal'cylindrical surfaces in which the tool is rotated andreciprocated relative to a stationarily supported work piece. It is tobe understood, however, that the invention is readily applicable toother types of honing machines and that various changes andmodifications may be made in the form, construction and arrangement ofthe parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas expressed in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, the machine selected to illustrate theinvention is of the type intended for honing the internal cylindricalsurface of a hollow work piece W such as an elongated tube or cylinder.This operation is performed by means with a cylindrical abrasive tool orhone T which may be of any suitable and well known construction. In thisparticular machine the work piece W is held stationary while the tool Tis rotated and simultaneously reciprocated relative thereto.

As shown in Fig. 1, the machine comprises generally an elongated baseconsisting of a main sectionV II and an outboard section I2 bolted orotherwiseY secured together in end-to-end relatien.'V The latter sectionconstitutes in the present instanceV a stationary work support Vand forthis purpose is equipped with suitable xtures I3 for rigidly holding thework piece W in a substantially horizontal position.

In order to obtain the necessary relative movements ofthe 'tool andwork'under these conditions, the tool T is carried by a reciprocatorysupport herein shown asa' head or Acarriage |4 arrangedto: reciprocateon a horizontal guideway extendinglongitudinally of the main basesection The'guideway,` as herein shown, is formed by suitableguide barsI5 (Fig. 3) mounted in parallel spaced relation on the side walls of thebase section-and the head is supported thereon bya series 7^ofVgenerallyspool-shaped rollers I6 journaled on studs projecting from theunder side of the machine.- The Arollersare preferably positioned so asto engage the respective-guide bars between theirV inclined bearing`faces and thus serve to'hold the head securely against-lateral movementrelative tothe guideway while permitting it to reciprocate freelythereon.

As the tool T` must be inserted within the work piece and traversed fromone end thereof to the other, vit is conveniently mounted on theprojecting end of an elongated driver I1 which constitutes, in thisinstance, an extension of a rotary tool Vsupporting spindle I8. Thespindle is journaledV on the head I4 for reciprocation therewith and isdriven in any suitable manner as by a motor M mounted on the head. l

Relative reciprocation of the tool and work is effected in the presentinstance by reciprocation of the head I4 on its guideway. For thispurpose there is installed, preferably within the main base section II,a pressure fluid operated actuator of the reciprocatory type arranged todrive the head through the medium of motion'transmitting and amplifyingmechanism of novel and advantageous construction.y y

The actuator may be of any suitable type but is preferably constructedso that the movements of the reciprocatory part are uniform, thatis, themovements are executed at the same speed-in both directions. Suchmovements are obtained in the present instance by a double cylinder-arrangement wherein equal active pressure areas are utilized for movingthe reciprocatory partin each direction. A

Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, the actuator in its preferredform comprises an outer cylinder 2| disposed within the main basesection I I in a substantially horizontal position with its longitudinalaxis generally parallel to the guideway for the head. The opposite endsof the cylinder are closed respectively by cylinder heads 22 and 23, thelatter having a central opening for the reception of a cylindrical ram24 which constitutes the reciprocating part of, the actuator. Thecylinder 2| is anchored to the machine base as by a pin 25 engaging inan aperture in an extension 26 of the cylinder head 22, the pin actingto support the outer end of the cylinder and to permit limited pivotalmovement of the same in a vertical plane for reasons that will appearpresently. A cylindrical enlargement 21 on the inner end of the ramconstitutes a working piston for the outer cylinder. Suitable packingrings 28 may be t'ted in the piston enlargement to prevent leakage ofpressure fluid from the outer end of the cylinder to the inner endwhich, however, isventedfin Wellknown manner to take care of drainage. Y

As herein shown, the Vram 24 is of tubular construction and its outerend is closed by a tightly fitted plug 3| toform a second or innercylinder for the actuator. A cylindrical member 32 rigidly secured atone end to the cylinder head 22 of the outer cylinder'andprojectin'gforwardly therefrom so as to telescope-into the hollow ram,constitutes a stationary pistonfor the inner cylinder; These parts are`assembled with a, tight sliding t to preventv leakage of pressure fluidfrom the inner cylinder.

To move the ram inwardly or to'the right as viewed in Fig, 2, pressurefluid is introduced into the outer cylinder-2| through a port 33 to acton the rear face of the Vpiston enlargement 21. Movement of the ram inthe opposite direction is effected by the introduction of pressure fluidinto the inner cylinder to act on the front face of the plug 3| whichcloses the end of the cylinder. For this Ypurpose the stationarymember-32 is formed with a bore 34 communicating at one end With theinner cylinder and-atthe other end with a port 35 in the` cylinder Ahead22. By suitably proportioning the areas-presentedV by the pis-tonenlargement 21 .and the plug 3|, the-rate of movement of the ram in4opposite directions can be accurately controlled. :In the presentinstance these-parts are constructed so asto present. equal `pressureareas and :the movements of theram are therefore executed with the samespeed in both the-forwardand return strokes, equal columns of `fluid atthe-same pressure lbeing supplied in each instance.

Pressure fluid for reciprocating the ram -is supplied by a suitable pumpPfthrough' a-suitable pressure fluid circuit such as that illustrateddiagrammatically in Fig',l 4.- As hereinshown, the pump is driven by anelectric motor Ml.- A reversing. Valve rV ,-of. the we1l-known pressurefluid operated type, isinterposed in the circuit between the pump andthe `actuatorto control the supply Yof pressurefluid thereto. When thevalve is operated to the positionshown in .the drawings, it is effectiveto direct pressureuid intothe outercylinder 2| and to connect the inner.cylinder of the ram 24.with a drain 36 for returning spent` pressurefluid/to a reservoir or sump R.V Under these conditions the Aram ismoved to the right. `When operated to its alternate position l, the`valve V directs pressure fluid into the inner .cylinder and connectsythe outer cylinder .to the drain sothat the ram is moved in the reversedirection, or to the left. The operation of the valve V is preferablycontrolled by a pilot vvalve V1 operated in well known manner by thehead |4 in its movements backand forth on the guideway.

The movements of the reciprocatory part of the actuator or ram 24 are.transmitted to the tool head |4 through a transmission mechanism whichadditionally acts to amplify these movements. In the particular machineillustrated the transmission mechanism is arranged to double themovement of the ram, that is, the tool head is moved through a stroke oftwice the length of the stroke of the ram. This construction permits theuse of a cylinder and ram of only onehalf the length of the guideway.Apparatus of this size can be conveniently installed in the base of themachine since the over-all length of these elements when fully extended,can be accommodated within the main base section. If desired, of course,a greater degree of amplification may be provided without departing fromthe principles of the present invention.

The motion transmitting and amplifying mechanism in its preferred formincludes an elongated generally rectangular metal frame 4| (Figs. 2 and3) rigidly connected at one end to the projecting end of the ram 24 andreciprocable therewith. 'I'he frame is supported and guided forreciprocation by roller means, herein shown as flanged rollers 42 and 43operating on spaced parallel rails or bars 44 which form a trackextending below and generally parallel to the guideway for the head. Therails may be supported in any suitable manner as by U-shaped supportingmembers 45 suspended from brackets 46 projecting inwardly from the sidewalls of the base section Il. The pivotal mounting of the cylinder 2|permits the rollers to follow irregularities in the track withoutplacing undue strains on the cylinder or associated parts.

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 3, the rollers 42 and 43 arerotatably supported on antifriction bearings 41 carried on horizontalpins 48 fitted into the side members of the frame 4|. Each of therollers is formed with a pair of outwardly facing flanges 49 which servethe double purpose of guiding the rollers on the rails 44 and defining agenerally V-shaped groove 50 for a flexible traction member such as awire cable by which the movements of the frame and rollers aretransmitted to the tool head.

In the particular machine illustrated, one cable (Figs. 1 and 2) isprovided for moving the head forwardly or toward the work piece while asecond cable 52 is provided for moving the head back to retractedposition. These cables are both anchored to the head and connectedrespectively to the opposite ends of the base, connection with the headbeing effected in the present instance by a connecting device 53. Itwill be understood, of course, that a single cable may be used ifdesired, in which case it will be anchored at its mid-point to the headand the respective end sections will function in the same manner-as thecables 5| and 52 above described.

The cable 5| is carried forwardly from the head over a sheave 54, thenback over the roller Y 42 and forwardly again to a suitable connectingdevice 55 which anchors it to the forward end of the base section 'I'hecable 52 extends rearwardly from the head and passes over a sheave 56,thence forwardly over the roller 43 and again rearwardly to a tensioningdevice 51 which anchors it to the rear end of the machine base. It willbe understood that the sheaves 54 and 56 are rotatably supported on thebase section at opposite ends of the guideway.

The tensioning device 51 acts to maintain the cables 5| and 52 underproper tension at all times to prevent any slack or looseness-in thesecables which would interfere with the smooth, uniform reciprocation ofthe tool head. The device, as herein shown, comprises a cylinder 6|rigidly secured at one end to the machine base below the reciprocatoryactuator. The cylinder is fitted with a piston 62 having a forwardlyprojecting piston rod 63 to which the end of the cable 52 may be securedin any suitable manner as by a connector 64. l

Pressure fluid introduced into the cylinder 6| through a port 65 in theforward end vof the cylinder tends to force the piston rearwardly or tothe right as viewed in Fig. 2. The `piston thus exertsa pull on thecable 52 in a direction such as to draw the cable 5| taut. Thistends-topull the head |4 rearwardly against the-resistance of the cable`5| andthus both cables are maintained under tension as long as pressure fluidis supplied to the cylinder. Preferably the pressure fluid for thispurpose is derived from the same source as the pressure fluid foroperating the reciprocatory actuator, that is, the pump P so that thetension applied to the cables or traction members is directlyproportioned to the force required to reciprocate the head. Thisisfor'the reason that the pressure in the hydraulic circuit ordinarilyincreases in accordance with the resistance offered by the head and thisadded pres-v sure is effective to increase the tension on the tractionmembers. Smiooth and shockless reciprocation of the head is thereforeinsured under all conditions of operation. f

The operation of the pressure fluid actuator and motion transmitting andamplifying mech'- anisrn will be readily apparent from the foregoingdescription. Briefly, they reciprocatory part of the actuator, that isthe ram 24 and the frame 4| is reciprocated through uniform forward andreturn strokes by the introduction of pressure fluid 'alternately intothe inner and outer cylinders 2| and 24 of the actuator. The frame issupported and guided in this reciprocation by the rollers 42 and 43,which roll on rails or bars 44 arranged in the machine base below andgenerally parallel to the guideway.

The motions of the frame are transmitted to the head through flexibletraction members in the form of Wire cables 5| and 52. Upon movement ofthe ram 24 toward the position shown in Fig. 2, the cable 5| is drawn inover the sheave 54 and the cable 52 is paid out in equal amount so thatthe head is moved forwardly on the guideway to the position shown inFig. 1. Upon movement of the ram to the left, the cable 52 is taken upby the roller 43 while the cable 5| is paid out, thus moving the headback to retracted position.

During the operation of the machine the tension device 51 maintains thecables taut and thus prevents any lost motion from slack or loosecables. The flexible character of the traction members also assists inproducing the proper motion of the head for precision honing byabsorbing any shock or jar at the ends of the reciprocatory stroke.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides ahoning machine of novel and advantageous construction. The machine isprovided with novel reciprocating mechanism including a pressure fluidoperated actuator of the reciprocatory type andV motion transmittingandamplifying mechanism of novel and improved construction capable ofeiecting smooth shockless relative reciprocation of the honing tool andthe Work piece. Due to the novel construction of the actuator, themovements of the head or carriage are executedat a uniform rate in bothits forward and return strokes.

1 claim as my invention:

1. A honing machine having, in combination, an elongated base, ahorizontal guideway on said base, a head mounted for reciprocation onsaid guideway, means for reciprocating said head comprising, a poweroperated actuator including areciprocable part, a track Vdisposed withinsaid base below the guideway and extending generally parallel thereto, aroller on said part engageable with the track for supporting and guidingthe part; in its reciprocation, a rotatable member supported on the baseat each end of the guideway, and a pair of flexible traction membersanchored to the head and connected respectively to opposite ends of thebase, said members each passing over one of said rollers and over therotatable member at the end of the base to Which the member isconnected.

2. A honing machine having, in combination, an elongated base, ahorizontal guideway on said base, a head mounted for reciprocation onsaid guideway, means for reciprocating said head comprising, a poweroperated actuator including a reciprocable part, a pair of elongatedbars mounted in the base in spaced parallel relation to deiine a trackextending generally parallel to the guideway, a pair of rollers on saidpart engageable with said bars to support the part, said rollers havingoppositely facing flanges spaced apart to dene a peripheral groovearound the roller and adapted to cooperate With the bars to guidethe'part in its reciprocation, a sheave rotatably supported on the baseat each end of the guideway, and a pair of flexible cables anchored tothe head and connected respectively to opposite ends of the base, eachof said cablesrunning in the peripheral groove of one of said yrollersand over the sheave at the end of the base to which the cable isconnected.

3. A honing machine having, in combination, van elongated base, aguideway on said base, a head mounted for reciprocation on said guide-Way, means for reciprocating said head comprising lan actuator having areciprocable part, pressure fluid operated means Yfor reciprocating saidpart, means operatively connecting said part with the head including amember rotatably supported on the base `at each end of the guideway,roller means rotatably supported on the reciprocating part, a pair offlexible traction members anchored to the head and connectedrespectively to opposite ends ofthe base, said members each passingover'one of said roller means and over one of said `rotatable members, asecond pressure fluid operated means acting on one of said tractionmembers to maintain the members under tension, and a common source ofpressure uid for operating both vof said pressure fluid means.v

4. A honing machine having, in combination, an elongated base, aguideway on said base, a head mounted for reciprocation on said guide-Way, a cylinder disposed in said base with its axis generally parallelto said guideway, a ram projecting rfrom said cylinder, means forsupplying `pressure fluid to the cylinder to reciprocate said ram, aframe Vsecured to said ram for reciprocation therewith, rolle-rsjournaled on said frame for supporting the frame in its reciprocation,means operatively connecting the head with said frame toreciprocate'therewith comprising, a pair of rotatable members supportedon the machine base, one at each end of the guideway, and a pair offlexible traction members anchored to the head each passing over one ofsaid rota-table members and one of said rollers.

HARRY J. CALDWELL,

